Fabric separating apparatus



Feb. 11, 1958 L, KlNG FABRIC SEPARATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 24, 1956 AINVENTOR. LAWRENCE Kms ATTORNEY E jv Feb. 11, 1958 L. KING 2,822,602

FABRIC SEPARATING 4APPMATUS Filed Feb. 24, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. LAWRENCE KING ATTORNEY Feb. 11, 1958 L. KING 2,822,602

FABRIC SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 24, 195e s sheets-sheet s FIGA JNVENToR. ALAWRENQE KING ATTORNEY z,szz,6oz

FABRIC SEPARATING APPARATUS Lawrence King, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Pyramid Manufacturing Co. Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation Application February 24, 1956, Serial No. 567,542

11 Claims. (Cl. 2817) This invention relates to novel apparatus for rapidly and eiciently removing separator threads joining juxtaposed strips of fabric during formation of the fabric.

In the formation of strips of fabric which have a length which is a multiple of the width, it is many times convenient or necessary to temporarily join the strips along adjacent longitudinal edges during fabrication of the strips. This joining is effected by a separator thread which is removed after the fabric is completed.

For example, for continuity of operation, relatively narrow strips of fabric may be knit as a long helical loop on -a circular knitting machine with adjacent convolutions being continuously joined along their longitudinal edges by a separator thread or yarn course knit into the fabric at predetermined spatial intervals in accordance with the desired width of the knit strip. This separator thread, which may be of a different character from the thread or yarn used to knit the fabric, holds the convolutions together as a unitary structure during manufacture of the fabric. After the fabric is completed, the stitches formed by the separator thread are cut at one end of the fabric and the separator threads are manually pulled out. The long strip of fabric may then be wound on a cone or the like for storage or shipment.

Such temporary uniting of separately knit strips of fabric is also used in flat bed knitting in order to take full advantage of the width or capacity of a at bed knitting machine by simultaneously knitting a large number of narrow strips thereon. The temporary joining of the strips by removable separator strips, not only in this case but ralso in the mentioned case of knitting on a circular machine, provides an easily handled unit for later processing. Similar procedures are sometimes used in weaving fabric strips.

In all of these cases, the separator strips are later pulled out by hand. This is not only a time consuming and relatively expensive operation, but also, due to the nature of some materials used as separator threads, may be injurious to the hands of the operator pulling out the separator threads.

In accordance with the present invention, a novel apparatus is provided whereby any number of separator threads may be quickly and easily pulled out of a fabric simultaneously. The apparatus comprises a support frame for receiving a large plate or table upon which the completed and temporarily joined fabric is placed in at position with its separator threads substantially parallel A shaft is rotatably mounted to extend across the front of the apparatus at the general level of the support to each other. This support platen is positioned on a at platen. This shaft has a longitudinal slot receiving a positioning and clamping bar for a plurality of hooks or knitting needles set in the slot to project radially from the shaft in a common radial plane. A large longitudinal groove spaced somewhat circumferentially from the slot allows access to the -adjusting means for the clamping bar and also has another important function. The shaft is arranged to be rotated by a suitable motor or the like with provision of a free wheeling manual overdrive clutch, a brake, and safety disconnect means.

In the use of the apparatus, the separator threads are severed at the rear edge of the fabric and, at the front edge of the fabric, are looped over the hooks or needles. When the shaft is rotated by its drive means, all the separator threads are simultaneously pulled out of the fabric and wound on the shaft. After such withdrawal of the separator threads, a pair of scissors or a knife is passed along the groove in the shaft to sever the threads wound thereon. The severed threads fall into a trough beneath the shaft, and may be blown from the trough into a receptacle by air exhausted from the press platen actuators.

For an understanding of the invention principle, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying` drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a partial elevation View of the shaft;

Fig. 5 is a diametric sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partial elevation view of the needle clamping bar;

Fig. 7 is a corresponding top plan view of the bar; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional View of the press platen and support platen, on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus includes ,a metal support frame 10 including support legs 11, front and rear frame members 12, 12, rods 13, 13, and a top frame 14 comprising four angles providing a seat for a relatively thick wooden base 16 extending above the angles and arranged to position support platen 15. Bearings 17 secured to front frame member 12 rotatably support a shaft 20 extending beyond the bearings at each end.

A movable press frame 30 is formed of angle irons 31- and 32 and slidably supported for vertical movementon guides 33 mounted in blocks 34 secured by angle brackets 36 to cross member 18 of frame 10. Frame 30 supports a thick wooden press platen 3S secured thereto and carrying a foam or sponge rubber cushion 37 on its lower surface. The underside of cushion 37 is covered by a sheet 38 of exible material such as a suitable plastic. v

Press frame 30, with its associated parts, is vertically reciprocated by a pair of double acting air cylinders 40 each supported centrally of a member 18 and having a piston rod 41 connected to an angle 32 of frame 30.

Shaft 20 is rotated by a motor 42 adjustably mounted beneath frame 10 and connected by speed reducing belt drives 43, 44 to a pulley 46 on shaft 20. Suitable clutch, brake, manual override and quick release means (not shown) of conventional construction are included in the drive for shaft 20.

As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, shaft 20 has a longitudinally extending rectangular slot 21 receiving a positioning and clamping bar 22 for needles or hooks 25. A longitudinal groove 23 spaced circumferentally from slot 21. allows access to adjusting studs 24 for bar 2.2, and also facilitates severing of the separator threads wound on shaft 20.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, bar 22 is formed with spaced parallel slots 26 receiving the Shanks of needles 25 and positioning the needles. A trough 4S is supported on front frame member 12, beneath shaft 20, to receive the severed threads. Trough 45 has a discharge spout 47 at one end, and a hose 48j at the opposite end of the trough discharges exhaust air from cylinders 40 along the trough to blow the severed threads through spout 46.

ln the operation of the described apparatus, press platen 30 is raised by actuators 40-41 and support platen 15 is removed from bed 16. The joined strips of fabric 50 are then laid on platen 15 With the separator threads running from front to rear. In the case of fabrics knit on a circular machine, the fabric is folded fiat on platen 15 with the separator threads of at least the upper fold running substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges of this platen. The separator thread stitches are then preferably cut at the rear edge of the platen.

Platen 15, with the fabric flat thereon, is then placed on bed 16 and actuators 40-41 operated to move press platen 30 down and force the sheet 38 on cushion 37 firmly against the fabric. The fabric is thus firmly clamped between the upper and lower platens, cushion 37 and sheet 38 accommodating irregularities in the fabric. The front stitch of each separator thread is then pulled outwardly and looped over a hook or needle 25. These needles may be placed only at locations corresponding to the positions of the separator yarns or threads or may completely fill the slots 26 in bar 22. Exact alignment of a hook or needle with a separator thread is not essential. Shaft 20 may be turned by hand to position hooks or needles 25 upright, through a suitable manual override clutch arrangement, such arrangements being common in fabric manufacturing apparatus and thus not specifically illustrated or described.

Motor 42 is then started to rotate shaft 20 to simul taneously pull out the separator threads 55 and wind them on shaft 20. After all the separator threads are pulled out of the fabric, platen 30 is raised, platen 15 is drawn out of the apparatus, and the separated strips are wound on cones or the like. The threads wound on shaft 20 are then severed by passing scissors or a knife along groove 23, and the severed threads fall into trough 45. At the next operation of actuators 40-41, exhaust air from cylinders 40, directed along the trough by hose 4S, blows the threads out through spout 47.

Of course, instead of a hook or needle 25, a pin may be also used.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principle, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principle.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for separating the edges of knitted strip fabric joinedV by separating threads during manufacture of the fabric to form a unitary relatively large piece of fabric having a width which is a multiple of the width of the strip fabric, said apparatus comprising, in combination, press means having flat surfaces of substantial extent constructed and arranged to clamp the unitary piece of fabric in flat position therebetween against movement and with the respective joined edges in substantially parallel relation; a shaft rotatably mounted with its axis 4. extending substantially normal to such joined edges; a plurality of hook means extending in a common radial plane from said shaft for looping of stitches of the separator threads, adjacent said shaft thereover; and means for rotating said shaft, to draw the separator threads from the fabric to separate such joined edges and to wind the withdrawn threads around said shaft.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said press means includes a substantially flat fabric support; and a substantially flat press platen movable toward and away from said support to clamp the fabric flat against the latter.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said press means includes a substantially flat bed; a substantially flat fabric support platen removably supported on said bed; and a substantially ilat press platen movable toward and away from said bed to clamp the fabric flat against the support platen.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a cushion of compressible resilient material on the surface of said press platen toward said bed and engageable with the fabric on said support platen.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim y4 including a sheet of flexible material covering the outer surface of said cushion.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim l including air pressure actuator means for moving said press platen.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said shaft has a slot extending therealong; said hook means cornprise hook needles having shanks in said slot; and a clamping bar in said slot having slots spaced longitudinally therealong and receiving the needle Shanks.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim l in which said shaft has a groove therealong to receive and guide a cutting implement to sever the threads Wound on said shaft.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said shaft has a groove therealong to receive and guide a cutting implement to sever the threads wound on said shaft; and a trough beneath said shaft to receive the severed threads.

l0. Apparatus as claimed in claim l in which said shaft has a groove therealong to receive and guide a cutting implement to sever the threads wound on said shaft; a trough beneath said shaft to receive the severed threads andhaving a discharge means at one end; air pressure actuator means for moving said press platen; and means for discharging exhaust air from said actuators into the opposite end of said trough to blow the separated threads through said discharge means.

ll. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said shaft has a groove therealong to receive and guide a cutting implement to sever the threads wound on said shaft; said groove being spaced circnmferentially from the slot in said shaft to provide a separating wall therebetween; studs threaded through said wall to engage said clamping bar and accessible, for manipulation, from said groove.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS 1,463,397 Lavier July 31, 1923 2,220,406 Jordan Nov. 5, 1940 2,262,101 Harris Nov. 11, 1942 2,422,154 Weller June 10, 1947 2,591,166 Keen et al. Apr. 1, 1952 2,779,084 Katrinsky lan. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 293,049 Germany July 1l, 1916 

